C24: Climate history | Culture history

Activity C24 Climate history | culture history will gain from actions under C1 relating to desk analysis and identification of knowledge gaps and reviews of in the risk maps. Experience will be exchanged on historical flood events between demonstration projects dealing with the coastal cities of Thyborøn, Horsens, Randers and Juelsminde.

A common understanding between stakeholders of sustainable solutions (economically, environmentally, socially and long term) with a focus on land use, cost-effective measures, planning, implementation, maintenance and operation will be shared and developed across actions and facilitated by Central Denmark Region. Under C1 a workshop will be held to assess synergies and possibilities of integrated solutions for the fjords at the East Coast and the cities at the West Coast.

Under action C2 knowledge on Climate Change Adaption and rivers developed under different actions will be shared. Modelling, interpretations, analysis and data sampling are similar in the different catchments and C24 will benefit in general from this knowledge sharing.

Under action C3, in selected areas a detailed local model is set up focusing on groundwater, surface and/or seawater. Models are based on the present data and collections of new data sets e.g geophysical data and C24 may also benefit from this model.

Under Action C4 Rainwater, C24 may gain from the identification and experience and testing of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) within CDR.

Under action C5 specific training courses, workshops and masterclasses, with point of departure in the challenges experienced by the partners will be implemented for the benefit of action C24.

Action C7 will aim at gathering useful information and best practices from cross-cutting demonstration activities, also potentially benefitting C24. C24 will connect directly with C8 during C2C CC.

Humans have lived in interaction with nature in the current Region of Central Jutland for over 13,000 years. Over this vast span of time, climatic and environmental conditions have changed dramatically – and people and societies have handled these changes in manifold demographic and technological ways.

Environmental proxies (e.g. pollen, isotopes and sediments) from dated layers facilitate the reconstruction of the full spectrum of and baselines fro local and regional landscape changes, while archaeological and historical sources document how people have adapted, or failed to do so, to these changes.

Under the umbrella terms environmental history and climate change archaeology can be used for sketching a roadmap for possible future adaptations. This is particularly relevant as these inherently local and regional scenarios can supplement global models for future climate change; and local/regional narratives generate grass-roots citizen adaptation.

How societies have reacted to past climate-driven changes in the hydrological cycle provides a canvass for reflection on how present-day societies may adapt to similar changes predicted to occur under conditions of future climate change. The human presence in Europe has a long shared history and heritage, which is well-documented in often unique archaeological and historical cases.

Thinking natural and cultural heritage together can create ecological as well as economic added value measurable through, for instance, the number of visitors to exhibitions and sales and readership statistics of publications generated by the present project. This project design and outreach strategy could subsequently be exported to and copied by other relevant actors in Europe and elsewhere through knowledge sharing.

What
This sub-project focuses on how the earliest inhabitants of the Region of Central Jutland have handled changes in the hydrological cycle.

For this period (10,000-6200 BCE) an enormous tsunami generated by a submarine landslide off the coast of Norway as well as marked changes in sea-levels and ground water levels are well-documented (figure 1).

These environmental changes and their human impacts are well-researched elsewhere in Denmark (Fruergaard et al. 2015) and northern Europe (Bondevik et al. 1997; Smith et al. 2004), but only poorly known from Central Denmark.

This sub-project therefore aims review and evaluate how people have reacted to these hydrological factors.

Whilst these past changes are no direct analogues for future climate changes and adaptions, the reactions effected by these past inhabitants of Central Jutland could nonetheless function as a canvas for designing, debating and disseminating future solutions. Key focus areas will be the Region’s fjords, islands and rivers, here especially the large inland lakes in the Silkeborg region, which are part of the Gudenå system

How
C24.1 collates environmental and archaeological data from borings, and excavations performed outside this projectexcavation, and from the existing Danish sites and monuments register for precise reconstructions of past environments and land-use, especially in the vicinity of water-near archaeological sites (e.g. in the Silkeborg and Herning regions, but also along the coasts).

These data will offer temporally deep and local contexts for past and future climate and environmental changes, all with focus on groundwater and sea-level changes, storm surges and tsunami events.

Where:
The work will be conducted at Aarhus University in collaboration with the regionally responsible museums, which following the Danish legal heritage framework are charged with overseeing heritage research in their municipalities.

When
2017-2019: Data review period.
2019-2021: Dissemination period – results of the data review published in technical reports and for public dissemination. International and national conference presentations.
2021-2023: Outreach period – synthesis publication is being produced. This publication presents both the results of the present action as well as the results of other C2C CC actions, all with an eye towards the future.

What 
This sub-project takes its starting point in the present and works backward in time. Drawing on meteorological, geological, archaeological and historical records, human settlement along the coasts as well as further inland will be systematically reviewed and translated into elements useable in C2C Climate Challenge outreach and climate tourism (figure 54).

Figure 54: Dyke rupture at the River Elbe in northern Germany during the storm surge in 1661. Engraving by H.M. Winterstein.

Historical records about storm surges and corresponding flood pillars are well-known and well-documented in, for example, South Jutland, the Netherlands and Germany. In contrast, these same source data are much less systematically recorded and analysed in the Region of Central Jutland, but recent archaeological investigations of, for instance, the Nørre Vosborg manor hint at the impacts of storm surges on landscapes and people (Kock 2015).

How:
C24.2 involves the systematic collation of existing material regarding storm surges in the Region of Central Jutland. Historical maps primarily held at the University Library in Aarhus and the Royal Library in Copenhagen will be digitised and subsequently archived at Aarhus University Library/State Library, where they will be publically accessible.

This will be the first time, historical and archaeological as well as cartographic material will be presented and analysed together for this region and with a view towards using these data in contemporary discussions about sustainable coastal development.

Comprehensive information on existing flood pillars that commemorate storm surge events will be collected (photographically and geo-referenced). Together with written reports and maps these will reflect the coupled natural and cultural heritage of past violent weather events.

Dissemination will be through established digital channels for historical and cartographic materials, i.e. danmarkshistorien.dk and http://historiskatlas.dk. These are resource used extensively be high school students and teachers in particular.

In addition, this sub-project will provide background information for a coast-to-coast climate tourism cycling/kayaking route aimed at climate-interested and environmentally conscious tourists visiting the Region.

Where: Aarhus University

When
2017-2019: Review period – systematic review and digitization of information.
2019-2021: Publication period – results of the review are published in technical reports and for public dissemination. International and national conference presentations
2021-2023: Outreach period – synthesis publication is being produced. This publication presents both the results of the present action as well as the results of other C2C CC actions, all with an eye towards the future.

What
C24.3 focuses on innovative communication of the coupling between climate history and culture history via established cultural institutions, as well as the marketing of CC2 CC with an eye towards climate tourism.

In particular, project C8 will function as a pilot where citizen-driven climate adaption will include an environmental and cultural-historical dimension.

The results of the C24 sub-projects as well as other selected projects under the wider aegis of CC2 CC will be presented through exhibitions at Moesgård Museum’s Exhibition Laboratory and the Region of Central Jutland’s many relevant museums as well as CC2 CC’s specific show cases – the Geopark Lemvig, the Climatorium and the AquaGlobe (C20, C21). Culture historical museums rarely focus on climate-related issues, past, present or future.

Climate adaptation, however, is in part a cultural issue and this sub-project moves climate questions into cultural institutions, which have well-established interfaces with the local public at the local, regional, national and international levels as well as tourists.

The aim of this sub-project is therefore to create democratic debate and long-term behavioural changes through communication and knowledge sharing, for instance, in relation to where we place settlements and how we relate to climate-related actions. The sub-project’s focus on climate tourism will also strengthen local economies.

How
In line with recent initiatives at various museums internationally to tackle issue of climate change (e.g. Cameron et al. 2013), this project will create exhibitions and presentation materials that can be used to inform and involve citizens and tourists in climate issues in general and specifically in relation to the climate-related challenges and proposed solutions in the Region of Central Jutland.

The sub-project will be executed in collaboration with the Masters degree programme in Sustainable Heritage Management at Aarhus University and will be scaffolded by a series of stakeholder workshops with focus on the coupling between climate history and culture history. Coupled elements of cultural and natural heritage can serve as a source of specific climate-related identify-building and a platform for increasing climate literacy, which in turn strengthens local resilience vis-à-vis future climate challenges. The exhibitions and presentation material will relate specifically to a coast-to-coast climate tourism cycling/kayaking route through the Region.

Where: AU’s Exhibition Laboratory at Moesgård Museum, Geopark Lemvig, Climatorium and AquaGlobe.

When:
2017-2019: Status workshop 1. Status workshop 1. Mapping the possibilities for a coast-to coast climate tourism cycling/kayaking route.
2019-2021: Status workshop 2. Concept development of an exhibition and attendant teaching resources. Production of a tourist brochure.
2021-2023: Status workshop 3. Exhibition and implementation of cycling/kayaking route. 

Danish landscapes are fundamentally cultural landscapes.

Ecosystems in the Region of Central Jutland have been under the influence of people for a very long time indeed; they are both natural and cultural at the same time, and they can thus only adequately be understood using both natural science and human science methodologies.

Geo-archaeology and environment history contribute to a more precise and temporally dynamic picture of these ecosystems.

They thus also contribute to more robust baseline for these ecosystems and to how they may change under conditions of future climate change.

It has been suggested that extreme hydrological and meteorological events in particular will occur more often and will become more extreme still in the future (Schiermeier 2011; 2012).

But precisely these kinds of extreme events have hitherto been so rare that only a more long-term perspective can reveal how they have impacted the coupled cultural and natural histories in the Region.

Previous research has shown that narratives of the local and thereby intimate relationships between climate, environment and culture stimulate similarly local changes in attitude and behaviour (Carter & van Eck 2014).

Cultural heritage is a known source of local, regional and national identity-building, not least in relation to climate and climate change (see Harvey & Perry 2015). Identity and a sense of history thus play a role in local and regional climate adaptation matters.

This is illustrated by several case studies throughout Europe, some specifically relating to hydrological issues (Stelljes & Martinez 2013 – see especially the Timmendorf case study). The implementation of the action’s teaching materials will contribute to the C2C CC’s overall aim of long-term and citizen-borne climate adaptation.

The coupling of natural and cultural heritage provides a platform for disseminating and discussing the challenges, knowledge and solution options, all in fora close to the citizens concerned (i.e. local museums, libraries, schools).

In this way, coupled natural and cultural heritage adds value to any adaptation initiative, especially when seen in a longer-term perspective where education and knowledge sharing play decisive roles. Research shows that there is a clear relation between local/regional identities and historical and archaeological narratives.

This relationship can be employed in achieving long-term behavioural changes via small changes in thought and action (the so-called nudging principle: http://blog.nature.org/science/2014/04/26/environmental-sustainability-nudges-economics-paul-ferraro/) at the same time as dissemination activities via museum strengthen the synergy between cultural and natural heritage in the Region.

The primary expenses in this action are work hours (see the detailed budget) for data review, dissemination/outreach work and Archaeological IT consulting (http://www.arkaeologi.dk/it/).
Workshops 1-3.

Production costs for dissemination material (calculated from www.onlineprinters.dk).

Miscellaneous transport and travel costs, calculated after current rules and regulations for public servants (see http://hr.modst.dk/Service%20Menu/Love%20regler%20og%20aftaler/Circular/2016/001-16%20-%20Satsregulering.aspx).

Materials for exhibitions (best estimate).

C24.1 and C24.2

Phase 2 and beyond:

• Two reports distributed across Sub-projects 1 and 2 (30/10/2019):
  I) Storm surges and human impacts on the west coast of Denmark as seen through historical maps and records, in Environment & History;
  II) A record of past storm activity in the eastern North Sea, in Climate of the Past.
• Three outreach reports distributed across Sub-projects 1 and 2 (30/10/2019):
  I) Miljøets rolle i Danmarkshistorien, i www.danmarkshistorien.dk;
  II) Vejrudsigten anno 1258, in Skalk;
  IV) Past storm activity as seen through historical maps, in www.sciencenordic.com.
• Note that the specific titles or venues of these deliverables may be subject to change. We aim to publish our deliverables in the aforementioned venues but this is subject to editiorial decisions and hence cannot be guaranteed. in the event of rejection, we will aim to publish in similar alternative outlets. 

C24.3
Phase 2 and beyond:

• One report and one exhibition pamphlet for Sub-project 3 (30/10/2020: Klimahistorie|kulturhistorie – merværdi gennem koblingen mellem natur- og kulturarv, in Nordisk Museologi. Exhibition pamphlet: Yesterday – today – tomorow: Facing the climate challenges of the future.)
• Teaching materials regarding climate and environmental history for high school level (31/10/2021).
• Climate tourism brochure for the Region (31/10/2021).
• Exhibition about climate history and culture history in the Region of Central Jutland (31/10/2022).
• A synthetic popular science book on climate and culture history in the Region of Central Jutland, which portrays the efforts and results of selected actions under the umbrella of C2C CC (31/10/2023).

C24.1
Phase 1 (2017-2019)
31/3/2017: Milestone 1.I – Nomination of staff responsible for Sub-project 1
30/6/2019: Milestone 1.II – data review complete 

Phase 2 (2020-2021)
31/10/2021: Milestone 2.I – target publications complete
31/10/2021: Milestone 2.II – conference presentation delivered

C2C CC phase 3 (2022-2023)

31/12/2023: Milestone 3.I – the synthesis over the Region’s coupled natural and cultural heritage and the C2C CC contributions published

C24.2
Phase 1 (2017-2019)

31/3/2017: Milestone 1.I – Nomination of staff responsible for Sub-project 2
31/12/2018: Milestone 1.II – digitisation of historical maps and records complete

Phase 2 and beyond
31/10/2021: Milestone 2.I – target publications complete
31/10/2021: Milestone 2.II – conference presentation delivered
31/12/2023: Milestone 3.I – the synthesis over the Region’s coupled natural and cultural heritage and the C2C CC contributions published

C24.3
Phase 1 (2017-2019)
31/3/2017: Milestone 1.I – Nomination of staff responsible for Sub-project 3
1/6/2019: Milestone 1.II – Workshop 1: Coupling of cultural and natural history in the Region

Phase 2 and beoynd
1/6/2021: Milestone 2.I – Workshop 2: The role of cultural heritage in climate adaptation
31/10/2021: Milestone 3 – Climate history brochure for the Region complete
1/6/2022: Milestone 2.I – Workshop 3: Museums and climate adaptation
31/10/2022: Milestone 2.II – Exhibition opens